Tech

In such an inventive and industrious place as the San Francisco Bay Area, supporting local businesses isn't exactly a no-brainer—how do you parse which of the many upstarts to grace with your hard-won dollars? Here to help, we've combed Kickstarter for five local projects worthy of your support this month.

Billed as a place that's "a direct reflection of Facebook's open and transparent culture," Facebook employees moved into their new headquarters today. Why so special? For starters, the new Menlo Park campus (heretofore known as "MPK20") was designed by Frank Ghery (NYC's 8 Spruce Street, LA's Walt Disney Concert Hall), and it features a half-mile loop through nine acres of greenery. What's more, much like Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's sartorial efforts, the new digs are consciously dressed down.

Last year, Google took the first step in admitting to the world Silicon Valley’s biggest problem: if you weren’t a white guy, you didn’t belong in tech. Though Google’s lack of diversity wasn’t a shock for anyone, it confirmed exactly what minority and women advocates have been arguing for years.

What with so much money in Silicon Valley, giving back is top of mind and is increasingly part of the overall corporate strategy at companies like Facebook, Google, Twitter, and LinkedIn, which are donating time (and a good chunk of change) to charitable foundations, schools, and programs for low-income people.

Of the three most important social media apps available — Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram — the latter is by far the best. Not only does it give us the peace of mind that Facebook can no longer deliver (too many people addicted to being offended by absolutely everything), it comparatively eliminates the popularity contest of Twitter (verification is so very "we wear pink on Wednesdays"). Instagram's beauty is in its simplicity. Neither fuss nor muss. Just a tranquil stream of images to peruse. Instagram's new app, Layout, will make said stream even prettier.

Some tech companies want to add extra serenity to your life with some pretty nifty home security gadgets to help you feel secure whether you're away or at home. Because no one wants a terrifying "the call is coming from inside the house" moment.

After sweating up a storm with 7x7's "50 Ways to a Rockin' Bod," now it's time to turn your attention to your diet. Here are five helpful apps that will help you lose weight while keeping your fitness regimen firmly in check.

Sure, tipping back waves of beer is one way to inner bliss, but nothing compares to catching waves at the beach—that moment when lip crests over you, making you and the wave feel as one. Everything else melts away. Surfing produces powerful healing affects, which is why surf apps need to deliver. Sure, there are the standards like Surfline and Magicseaweed, but there are also many other lesser known but equally helpful apps in the sea perfect for helping you catch the tastiest waves.

You've finally decided on a wedding date. Now, it’s time to think about the organization—specifically, the venue, the guest list, and the invitations, just to name a few daunting tasks. And don't forget to find the perfect dress, think about floral arrangement, and choose the best (yet most cost-effective) food and music. In the midst of various tasks to get to the "I do," you do not want to lost your mental health. Enter LadyMarry, your online wedding planner.

Whether you're an everyday commuter or weekend road (or off-road) warrior, add these bells and whistles to your cycling must-haves. From GPS navigation handlebars to a smart inflatable helmet, these tech-savvy decides will make your ride easier, safer, and a tad more interesting.